(Des Moines, IA) -- Waterloo singer Aleesha Smith, 17, won the 2025 Bill Riley Talent Search senior division at the Iowa State Fair.
A panel of eight judges chose her vocal solo in Sunday’s finals on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage. First place pays $10,000; second went to Des Moines dancers Claire Southard, 17, and Andre Johnson, 18, and third to Indianola pianist Audrey Janssen, 18.
Smith, who has competed since age 8, has also performed the National Anthem at University of Northern Iowa events.